"So some symptoms associated with different vitamin or mineral deficiencies associated with long periods of stress can show up and alert us to possible deeper long-term effects of chronic stress.

"Food sources can help replace used nutrients, but also, reducing sugar and stress means our diets are naturally more nutrient dense and we spare our resources for when we most need them."

Apart from doing what you enjoy, like reading a book or watching TV, taking vitamin supplements and eating the right foods can also bring down your stress levels.

Here are seven surprising signs you're suffering from stress.

1.Cracked lips

You might just think it is because of the recent cold weather, but it could be stress.

Those unpleasant little sores we can get at the corners of the lips are a sure sign that vitamin B status is low and particularly B6.

B vitamins are important for the health of the nervous system and are needed to get energy from the carbohydrates, fats and proteins that we eat, so we use them up during the energy-rich stress response.

B6 is involved in the production of the neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) serotonin and dopamine that regulate mood and motivation and also melatonin, that governs sleep, so we also see these suffer when stress is prolonged.

Vitamin B5 is often referred to as the anti-stress vitamin, as it helps with the production of adrenal hormones, cholesterol and immune antibodies, all of which have a higher turnover during the stress response.

This cholesterol production is not all "bad", we need it to produce new cells and the steroid hormones like cortisol that are part of the stress response.

Long-term stress often shows up as jaw clamping and teeth grinding, partly as tensing muscles around the face increases brain alertness, which the body senses it needs to deal with danger, but it is also associated with lowered levels of B5.

This vitamin is also needed for production of the memory neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which also calms us down after stress has past.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects fatty body areas and is needed for fertility.

Low levels of vitamin E and also omega oils can be seen as hardened, raised pimples at the tops of arms and legs that show abnormal skin growth called follicular keratosis, where too much of the skin protein keratin builds up.

Vitamin E may also help with improved circulation, the promotion of normal blood clotting, scarring, blood pressure and enhanced sperm production.

Vitamin A is essential for night vision and the health and resiliency against infection of the outer skin and the mucous membranes that line the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tracts.

When you have trouble shifting colds and they commonly move to the chest and throat, increasing levels through plenty of greens and high-quality organic meat can help, in a stew helps deliver the nutrients efficiently and hydrate tissues at the same time.

Sufficient supply of zinc is needed to mobilise and release stores of vitamin A.

Good foods to eat include animal livers, fish liver oils and green, red, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables.